- Feb 5, 2002
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The American presidential race has provided plenty of headlines for the secular outlets this week. As for news of the Catholic world? Not so much.
The National Eucharistic Congress was a spectacular event, apparently inspiring many thousands of the faithful. But while adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is at the heart of Catholic spiritual life, it does not provide catchy story lines. Meanwhile at the Vatican, the relative quiet reveals the fact that in Rome, most sensible people take time off in July. Consequently our headlines have been less numerous and less dramatic than usual.
So let me say something about a potentially dramatic news story that we did not cover—because it did not happen.
For the past several weeks a rumor has been circulating that the Vatican will issue new restrictions on the celebration of the traditional Latin Mass (TLM). We could not confirm those rumors. But several ordinarily reliable journalists insisted that the reports were true: that the document had been prepared, and only awaited final approval and release.
The rumors about this new suppression of the TLM were spread widely enough, and deemed credible enough, to spark several pre-emptive responses. A group of prominent English cultural figures issued an open letter about the “worrying reports,” urging the Vatican to “reconsider any further restriction of access to this magnificent spiritual and cultural heritage.” A similar group of American artists and writers followed suit, saying: “To deprive the next generation of artists of this source of mystery, beauty, and contemplation of the sacred seems shortsighted.” Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco added his plea that “this cri de coeur… will be heard.” The retired Archbishop of Guadalajara, Cardinal Juan Sandoval Iñiguez, urged: “Pope Francis, do not allow this to happen.”
While the rumor mill churned, confident reporters predicted the date when the new Vatican document would be released. Some said it would be July 16, others picked July 19.
Well, I am writing on July 19, as midnight approaches in Rome. The dreaded document has not appeared.
Continued below.
www.catholicculture.org
The National Eucharistic Congress was a spectacular event, apparently inspiring many thousands of the faithful. But while adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is at the heart of Catholic spiritual life, it does not provide catchy story lines. Meanwhile at the Vatican, the relative quiet reveals the fact that in Rome, most sensible people take time off in July. Consequently our headlines have been less numerous and less dramatic than usual.
So let me say something about a potentially dramatic news story that we did not cover—because it did not happen.
For the past several weeks a rumor has been circulating that the Vatican will issue new restrictions on the celebration of the traditional Latin Mass (TLM). We could not confirm those rumors. But several ordinarily reliable journalists insisted that the reports were true: that the document had been prepared, and only awaited final approval and release.
The rumors about this new suppression of the TLM were spread widely enough, and deemed credible enough, to spark several pre-emptive responses. A group of prominent English cultural figures issued an open letter about the “worrying reports,” urging the Vatican to “reconsider any further restriction of access to this magnificent spiritual and cultural heritage.” A similar group of American artists and writers followed suit, saying: “To deprive the next generation of artists of this source of mystery, beauty, and contemplation of the sacred seems shortsighted.” Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco added his plea that “this cri de coeur… will be heard.” The retired Archbishop of Guadalajara, Cardinal Juan Sandoval Iñiguez, urged: “Pope Francis, do not allow this to happen.”
While the rumor mill churned, confident reporters predicted the date when the new Vatican document would be released. Some said it would be July 16, others picked July 19.
Well, I am writing on July 19, as midnight approaches in Rome. The dreaded document has not appeared.
Continued below.
This week’s big story that didn’t break
Well, I am writing on July 19, as midnight approaches in Rome. The dreaded document suppressing the TLM has not appeared.
www.catholicculture.org
